ACSM Experts Offer Guidance on Bucket List Safety

Indianapolis – Who should SCUBA dive and who shouldn’t? Can an older jogger safely turn up the juice and become a competitive road racer? Which patients are okay exercising at high altitude? Clinicians and clinical exercise physiologists will learn how to counsel patients seeking to check off their “bucket lists” from a highlighted symposium in Indianapolis this week at the American College of Sports Medicine’s 60th Annual Meeting and the fourth World Congress on Exercise is Medicine®.

“The idea is to help medical professionals give their patients guidance on whether or not to take on the ‘bucket list’ challenge,” said Carl Foster, Ph.D., a Fellow and past president of ACSM. “Those who are considering undertaking more challenging physical tasks — including older patients or those recovering from accident or injury – need solid criteria for determining whether to participate. They also need performance benchmarks during training that might allow systematic preparation. It can be exhilarating to try a demanding new sport or activity, but it’s important to go about it safely. More importantly, clinicians don’t have clear criteria for advising their patients.”

Foster will chair a panel of experts addressing topics such as “Exercising at High Altitude,” (Benjamin Levine, M.D. FACSM), “Exercising in Areas with High Air Pollution,” (Liz Joy, M.D., FACSM). “Transitioning from Jogging to Entering Citizen Level Competition in Road Running”(William O. Roberts, M.D., FACSM), and “Who Should and Should Not SCUBA Dive.”(John P. Porcari, Ph.D., FACSM). While the symposium will help professionals work with their patients to understand the benefits, risks and needed preparation to take on more strenuous activities, Foster noted that the panel doesn’t pretend to have all the answers. “More research is always needed. I think the expert presentations and the discussion to follow will highlight where the science needs to be stronger.”

“Most of us develop a bucket list, whether we call it that or not,” said Foster. “The trick is to help people safely enjoy a level of physical activity that challenges them without being reckless.”

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The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 50,000 international, national, and regional members and certified professionals are dedicated to advancing and integrating scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine. The 60th ACSM Annual Meeting brings more than 6,000 physicians, scientists, educators, students and others to the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis May 28-June 1. At the same time, the fourth World Congress on Exercise is Medicine® (EIM) convenes some of the world’s leading physical activity and health experts to build on the global charter launched in 2010. EIM sessions are held at the Indianapolis Westin.

The conclusions outlined in this news release are those of the researchers only, and should not be construed as an official statement of the American College of Sports Medicine. Research highlighted in this news release has been presented at a professional meeting but has not been peer-reviewed. ACSM supports the 10 criteria for responsible health reporting as articulated by www.HealthNewsReview.org.